Wood, Edwin A.

WOOD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/21/2019 at 17:15:51

Edwin A. Wood

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.545)
EDWIN A. WOOD, one of the old soldier citizens of Pottawattamie County, is from an old American family of Scotch descent. Thomas G. WOOD, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts and the father of five children: Thomas, Henry, Gideon, Nancy and Tabor. Tabor WOOD, a son of the above and the father of our subject, was born near New Bedford, Massachusetts, and learned the manufacture of woolen cloth, which he followed in that city for many years. He was also a farmer and sheep raiser. He married Eliza FULLER, and to them were born seven children: John, Samuel, Ellen (deceased at the age of fifty-eight years), Edwin, Francis, and Thomas, all born in Massachusetts, except Thomas H., who was born in Chautauqua County, New York. In 1841 the father moved to Jamestown, New York, and engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth, where he remained seven years; next he went to Black Rock, now a part of Buffalo, New York, and here he resided three years; about 1852 he moved to Elvira, Lorain County, Ohio, remaining three years; in 1854, he went to Brownhelm, same county, where he resided on a farm until 1863; next he went to a farm near Oberlin; and in 1887 moved to Oberlin, where he still resides at the age of ninety years. He was born March 4, 1800, in the town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Mr. WOOD took an active interest in local affairs and in the cause of education, and at Elvira was a member of the School Board, and when a citizen of other places, he was usually a member of the same board. He was also a member of the Board of Supervisors of Elvira, and was a member of the Congregational Church. A man of excellent character and morals, and exceedingly temperate, as his long life will show. He won the confidence of the people as a neighbor and friend, and was also true to his profession. He is now retired and is spending his last days in peace in the beautiful town of Oberlin.

Edwin A. WOOD, a son of the above and the subject of this sketch, was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, August 5, 1834, and received but a limited education in the public schools. At the age of ten years, he went to work for his father in the woolen mills and the remainder of his education was gained at odd times by diligence and hard work. Being very strong physically, he was obliged to work when he was very young, to assist his father in the care of the family, and thus his youthful years were passed. At the age of eighteen years he went to Ohio, where he remained on a farm in Lorain County until Lincoln made his first call for 300,000 men. He promptly responded, and on August 5, 1862, on his natal day, he enlisted, leaving his wife with two young children. He enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years and ten months, which period closed our great Civil War. He was one of the soldiers who chased John MORGAN through Kentucky, and was in many skirmishes with him. The next year, he crossed the mountains with BURNSIDE into East Tennessee and was in the battles of Knoxville, Tunnell Hill, Resaca and was with that great General, who, with his victorious army, marched through the heart of the Confederacy to the sea. Mr. WOOD was with his regiment all through the heavy fighting until they reached Atlanta, when they were ordered back and reached Nashville in time to participate in that battle, and assisted in driving HOOD across the Tennessee River and annihilated his army. The regiment was then ordered to Washington, District of Columbia, and they then went by boat to Cincinnati and by rail to Annapolis, where they took a steamer to Fort Fisher, where they were engaged in the capture of Wilmington. They then fought their way into the heart of North Carolina, and during the march had one continual skirmish. They joined Sherman at Columbia, North Carolina, which they had captured, and here the regiment was discharged and brought by boat to Baltimore, and then home to Ohio. Mr. WOOD was promoted as Corporal at Frankfort, Kentucky, and detailed as clerk for the Adjutant General at brigade headquarters, and served in this capacity about one year. He was in active service all of the time and was but a short time sick. When he entered the army, he was the perfection of physical manhood, but like many others of those brave men who risked their lives for their country's cause, he came from the army with a constitution shattered by exposure.

On returning home, he found that farm life did not agree with him, and he engaged in the mercantile business in Brownhelm, Ohio, which he continued for three years, but was burned out and met with a loss of all his property. He then engaged in buying produce for one and a half years, and was in New York City one year. In 1879, he came to Avoca, Iowa, and engaged in the dairy business, which proved very successful. He was appointed Postmaster under Harrison, March 10, 1890, which office he still holds, to the general acceptance of the people. Being naturally a man of good nature, this office is particularly adapted to him, and due him as an old soldier who risked in his young manhood life and health in the service of his country. Mr. WOOD is a man of quiet tastes, and his straightforward character has always given him the confidence of his fellow townsmen. In Ohio, he held the office of Township Assessor and Clerk, and was also a member of the School Board. Politically he is a stanch Republican, voting as he fought. He is Chaplain of the G.A.R., U.S. Grant Post No. 123, Department of Iowa, in which he was one of the commanders.

At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. WOOD married at Brownhelm, Ohio, Miss Angelina COOLEY, daughter of Rensselaer and Julia (WELLS) COOLEY, both descended from old American families who had been connected with the early history of our country as pioneers and soldiers since the first settlement. Mr. COOLEY was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and his wife was from Connecticut. To Mr. And Mrs. WOOD have been born ten children: Eliza F., Almira E., Julia M., Rensselaer T., Mercy Anna, Sarah G., Edwin, Thomas G., Dora B. and Frank H. The daughter, Mercy Anna, is deputy postmistress, which position she fills with ability and skill.